Around the World in Books discussion

I noticed that the one thing this group doesn't have is a "Introductions" topics, so here it is! [Hopefully the Moderator won't be to sore at me for putting it up myself too.]

To begin:

Hello World!

I'm a undergraduate student here in Ohio [please don't attempt coming here, you'll regret it]. I'm majoring in Physics and Math with two minors in French Language and Russian Studies. Yes, you can't get any nerdier than that! However, when I'm not flaunting my intelligence I can be found reading or typing away on this site.

I decided to join this group because I love to travel and learn about new places and cultures. I think it's a amazing idea to combine all three of those goals into a reading group. I mean, there are so many glorious books that hold such a strong meaning and yet they go hardly recognised or acknowledged, especially those that discuss other places and cultures. Maybe this group can give me some insight into the reasoning, and perhaps some intellectual insight on the group readings...picking out something that I previously overlooked.

Looking forward to hearing some of the groups comments and realizations :)

Nice to meet you Val and welcome to the group. I am hoping that perhaps you will have some suggestions for books that are a little off the beaten track that maybe we don't think of, for example, books translated from french that take place in countries we are exploring, post colonial explorations set in countries colonized by the french and the Russian immigrant experience in countries world wide. Looking forward to reading your comments as we explore different books together.

Yes - vey good idea! Sorry I have probably not been as active a moderator as I should. I started this idea as the exploration of cultures, times, and places along with travel all are hobbies of mine - not to mention reading ( I am so envious of you Mar as I wanted to be an archealogist, but my path diverted). I work for a paper/ biofuels company headquarters in Finland and am currently in Barcelona for business, but have squeezed in a free day. The Gothic quarter reminds me so of The Shadow of the Wind. I love it here! Other items about me, I live outside Chicago and am the mother of 3.

Hello, as a new member of this group I’d like to introduce myself and announce my book.

I love traveling and my goal in life is to live nomadically – going from city to city, country to country, being self-employed and working from a laptop by day and exploring the world by night. I have been to many countries in Eastern Europe, Japan, Mexico, and Canada.

Currently, I live in Chicago where I have settled for the last 5 years. This city is the topic of my first ebook, New in Town Chicago.

New in Town Chicago is an eBook designed to help people moving to Chicago adapt to life in the Windy City. It takes the fres new resident, step by step, through the process of starting a new life - from finding a place to live in the Chicago neighborhoods, to settling in, to getting around on the Chicago CTA, to finding places to go, things to do, and people to meet. I think it’s also a great book if you’re thinking of traveling to Chicago for a few weeks and want to get acclimated with the city in a short amount of time.

The book is different from other books about moving to Chicago because it has less technical information and more advice on building a new life here. Most people who live in Chicago came from small Midwestern towns and the Windy City can be a lonely place during your first few months here. The purpose of this book is to help people through that by showing them how to get settled in comfortably and how to meet people and find interesting things to do – like getting into the Chicago theater scene and visiting the many Chicago street fests.

The PDF version is sold on my blog – New in Town Chicago. The blog contains additional and updated information about moving to Chicago and great tips and advice for new residents as well as people who already live in Chicago. I would love it if anyone could provide any feedback on my blog or participate in the article discussions.

If any reader would like to write to write a review for my book, I would be happy to send you a free copy. Or if there are any authors on here who would like to do a review exchange, we can read and review each other’s eBooks.

I hope to visit and write more books about moving to other cities in the US and even in other countries.

Thanks! I hope to get to know everyone on this board and contribute to this wonderful community of travel readers and writers.

My name is Elizabeth and I'm 24 years old. I live in Kentucky (Louisville, to be precise) and I actually frequently travel to Ohio as I have family living in Springfield and Columbus. I have a BA in psychology and did two minors in English with a concentration in literature and Medieval Studies. I studied French for 5 years and have experience with Japanese, German, and Latin. One of my dreams is to translate Medieval Latin and French manuscripts. The other is to eventually become an archaeologist.

Currently, I work with toddlers as a teacher in a daycare. It's not exactly my dream job, or the best use of my degree, but it works for now. I am going back to school in August to work towards a degree in education so that I can become a third grade teacher. I also plan on doing another major in either microbiology or anthropology. I do enjoy some aspects of my job such as being able to teach my children and the joy that I receive when they finally catch on to what I've taught them. I also enjoy the smiles, hugs, and kisses that I get from my kids when I come to work in the mornings.

I am an avid reader and have been since I was a child. I generally read anything except westerns, romance, and inspirational/Christian books. I quite enjoy horror, fantasy, historical fiction, and mysteries. I have also gotten into the Quirk classics recently. Right now, I am reading Android Karenina. Classic literature is another favorite of mine with Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, HP Lovecraft, Victor Hugo, and Gaston LeRoux being among my favorites.

I look forward to making new friends and taking part in book discussions.

-Elizabeth

Nice to meet you Elizabeth from another Elizabeth. Sounds like you have a wide range of interests. Stay in education teaching children; its rewarding and most teachers don't have the breadth of knowledge and education that you already have gained at a young age. Its refreshing to hear that you are teaching children; we need more people with your intellectual interests working with youth.

My name is Mairi I'm living in Vancouver, BC. I like to read a wide variety of things, particularly non-fiction. I enjoy knitting, reading, sewing, baking and cooking.

Hi, I am new to goodreads and new to the group. I am a bit new to travel reading, I used to think it was no fun to just read about a place (versus going) but as I have grown wiser I realize it is better to read about it than be totally in the dark. I prefer fiction but am open to everything.

Welcome Diane and Mairi! Hope you enjoy "traveling" with the group.

Hi, I am Brian, I am new to goodreads and the group as well. I look forward to traveling around the world through reading. I have traveled a little out of the states and long to do more (New Zealand, parts of Africa, Brazil, Japan and more).

Hey guys, my name is Dean. I love travel and writing and reading....so putting all three together suits me fine. I live in Australia but I call Earth home.
Cheers!

I'm lost.. can't figure out how to navigate this site. I have ordered The Gunny Sack, in any case.

Here is a summary:

First we select books through monthly "polls"; on right click polls to see if any are currently being held. Then we discuss the book(s) selected the next month.

To participate check the following on a regular basis:
Group home - displays the current book(s) being read and discussed this month.
Discussion Board - click as indicated to add comments of books being discussed this month or past books or to read what others are saying about the book(s).

Thanks for joining. From Elizabeth, one of the four Moderators.

Hi

I'm a keen reader and the author of Recognition. I live in England.

I love reading crime and literary fiction from other countries, in particular the Indian subcontinent, Spain and South America. (I speak some Spanish so have read a few books in the original but my Spanish isn't good enough to get all the nuances.)

I'm looking forward to learning about good books from other parts of the world!

Welcome, Kate!

Thanks for joining us. I hope you will have time to participate in our discussions about our next reads as it sounds like you will know some good books for us to explore.

Best Regards,
Laureen (one of the moderators)

This book club should be a great fit for me. My reading goals are about creativity in writing and things that not newsworthy. I like books that, like travel take me to new places and different times; real traveling or travel reading its all good. I just read "The Supremes at Earls All You Can Eat"' so not me. This book is great fun. About me I am a retired educator. My current joy is my two year old grandson.
I will post more. Later. Jane, Pixie Posting from Guam

Welcome, Jane!

Glad you joined us and hope you continue to join in on our posts. We have one poll running right now (at the bottom of our home page); and as you probably saw are reading which is a little different for us as we usually read something about or from a specific country.

Enjoy those grandchildren and happy reading!

BR,
Laureen (co-moderator)

Hi, Hope it is not too late to recommend. Through the Arc Of the Rain Forest. Looking forward to the next read. Also, I'm excited about my new book, just went on sale. Lost in Shangri-La. Let's go to New Guinea. Let's experience a different time. Pixie Jane posted from Guam.

Valerie wrote: "I noticed that the one thing this group doesn't have is a "Introductions" topics, so here it is! [Hopefully the Moderator won't be to sore at me for putting it up myself too.]

To begin:

Hello Wor..."

Valerie, Thanks, good idea, I have lived arond the world and enjoy traveling through reading as well. The 2012 election made me kind of crazy, I love there is a bigger world to know. Jane Pixie posting from Guam I Plan to write more when there is a little more time.

Kate wrote: "Hi
Dear Kate,

I read a lot about the Indian subcontinent, mostly serious books. However, I just discovered a great easy read mystery series about modern India by Tarquin Hall, one of the series (I've read all three) titled The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken. Light reading but you learn much about modern India.


I'm a keen reader and the author of Recognition. I live in England.

I love reading crime and literary fiction from other countries, in particular the Indian subcontinent, Spain and South Amer..."

Tarquin Hall

Thanks for suggestion. I loved the Hungry Tide. posting from Guam

Hello all,
Just recently joined Goodreads and came across this group by chance.
I live in a small town east of Montréal. I love travelling but must do it via books at times !
Most of the books on your reading list are new to me, fantastic ! It is always great to discover some new titles.
I have just finished reading "419" by Canadian author Will Ferguson. Set both in Canada and Nigeria, it has a beautiful cast of characters, an intriguing plot involving the so-called Nigerian internet scams and great insights in this country's many turmoil and changes. An excellent book if the group is interested in exploring that country. Another great choice is "Half of a yellow sun" by Chimananda Adichie which I just happened to read too.

Just looking forward to hearing from any members of this group. Sounds like your current book is a success. I am making note of it !

Cheers,

Biblionorth wrote: "Hello all,
Just recently joined Goodreads and came across this group by chance.
I live in a small town east of Montréal. I love travelling but must do it via books at times !
Most of the books on..."

Hi, Biblionorth,

Sorry for the late welcome! You came in at a slightly difficult time for me and probably think what a lame book club as we have not had a book for a while. I am working on fixing that now and hope you have not abandon us!

Laureen wrote: "Biblionorth wrote: "Hello all,
Just recently joined Goodreads and came across this group by chance.
I live in a small town east of Montréal. I love travelling but must do it via books at times !
..."

Hi Laureen,
Thanks for your reply. I hope you are better.I'll keep an eye open for further activities. Take care...

Greetings All! My name is Courtney, and I live in San Diego, California but am originally from Chicago. My husband and I love to travel internationally anytime we can, and will "eat up" anything about international travel! We are headed to Iceland, Ireland, and Denmark next week, and recently returned from a lovely trip to Japan. I believe my "country count" is somewhere in the 50's, so there is so much more to see! I am an avid reader as a High School teacher (I teach Biology though), and have lots of free-time during my Summers to devour books. Fictional books that take place in various parts of the globe have always been one of my favorite genres, so I am interested in your group.

Hi, Courtney,

Welcome to the group! It is great that you travel so much - did you notice that we have a section to post pictures from the country's we are reading about? It would be great if you could share some of your "travels" there. I actually live just west of Chicago now and will be very jealous of your new location around January. If you have any questions about the group let me know.

Happy Reading,
Laureen
Moderator

I have introduced myself before. I recently discovered, 'Book Lust to Go'. This book is amazing. The book is specifically about travel books and is for us. It. also, made for a good read did what I loved most, it expanded my own ideas. That's important to me.

I've changed my profile. I have retired, left Guam, brought a sailboat to live on, sail on, and travel on. Today, I am posting on board in Newport, RI.

Hi guys! I’m new on this site and in this group. I’m from Russia and I’m happy that I found this group, I feel like I want to read all the books you have on the group bookshelf. I love non-fiction, memoirs, books about different cultures but open to anything.
I’m also a writer, just recently published my first ebook “The Rusmolovo Diaries” - it’s a diary of a Russian girl living in a small settlement just outside Saint-Petersburg. I’ve noticed you don’t have any books about Russia so I’d like to take the liberty and suggest my book. I’ll be happy to send a free copy for a review and we could discuss it here – just a suggestion.
I hope to get to know everyone, thanks!

Jane(Pixie) wrote: "I have introduced myself before. I recently discovered, 'Book Lust to Go'. This book is amazing. The book is specifically about travel books and is for us. It. also, made for a good read did what I..."

Thanks for the recommendation - I will look for it. Also, congratulations on your retirement and happy sailing!

Laureen

E.V. wrote: "Hi guys! I’m new on this site and in this group. I’m from Russia and I’m happy that I found this group, I feel like I want to read all the books you have on the group bookshelf. I love non-fiction..."

Hi, E.V.,

Welcome and glad you joined! Is your book available as an e-book? I tried to find it on Barnes and Noble and Amazon, but could not. Where can I find it?
Also, if you have pictures of Russia when we read from there please post them.

Hope you enjoy our books and discussions.

Laureen
Moderator

Laureen wrote: "E.V. wrote: "Hi guys! I’m new on this site and in this group. I’m from Russia and I’m happy that I found this group, I feel like I want to read all the books you have on the group bookshelf. I lov..."

Hi Laureen,
It's on amazon here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP03626. I do have lots of pictures of the place I'm writing about! Send me your e-mail and format you prefer and I'll send you a copy of my book for a review

"Hello, Goodreads Friends! 👋

I’m Colin Green, a diplomat-turned-author with a passion for exploring how language and culture connect us. After traveling to over 50 countries, I’ve seen firsthand how words and traditions bring people together. I’m excited to be part of this group and can’t wait to share ideas and learn from you all!

Looking forward to connecting! 😊
Colin"